http://localhost:8080/jspui The DSpace digital repository system captures, stores, indexes, preserves, and distributes digital research material. 2026-10-13T03:23:54Z http://dspace.lamu.edu.zm:8080/handle/123456789/2919 Title: Vibrio cholerae O1 Hybrid El Tor Strains, Asia and Africa Authors: Safia, Asharafus; Sultana, Jinath; Dac Cam, Phung; Mwansa, James; Kong, Richard Y.C. Abstract: Vibrio cholerae is a water-borne pathogen that causes a severe watery diarrhea disease known as cholera. On the basis of variable somatic O antigen composition, >200 serogroups of V. cholerae have been recognized. Classical and El Tor are 2 well-established biotypes within the V. cholerae O1 serogroup, and they can be distinguished by differences in their biochemical reactions or phenotypic traits (1). In addition to phenotypic traits, genetic markers have recently been used in the identification of the biotypes of V. cholerae. For example, the major toxin-coregulated pilus (TCP) gene, tcpA, of the TCP cluster possesses classical- and El Tor–specific alleles that encode identical functions but differ in their DNA sequence composition; however, the rtxC gene of the repeat in toxin (RTX) cluster is present in El Tor strains only and absent in classical strains (2,3). The cholera toxin, encoded by the ctxA and ctxB genes, is the principal toxin produced by V. cholerae O1 and O139 and is responsible for the disease cholera. Heterogeneity within the ctxB gene and protein was first reported in the early 1990s, and, on this basis, 3 ctxB genotypes of the V. cholerae O1 strains have been identified. Based on amino acid residue substitutions at positions 39, 46, and 68, all classical and US Gulf Coast El Tor strains have been categorized as genotype 1, the Australian El Tor strains as genotype 2, and the El Tor strains of the seventh pandemic and the Latin American epidemic as genotype 3. Genotyping of ctxB has indicated that the classical strains harbor a unique cholera toxin gene that is not in the El Tor strains except for the US Gulf Coast El Tor clone (4). The US Gulf Coast hybrid El Tor strains that harbor the classical cholera toxin have been associated with sporadic outbreaks in the United States (5) and, until recently, had not been reported anywhere else in the world. Then in 2004, hybrid El Tor strains that encode the classical cholera toxin were isolated from cholera patients in Matlab, Bangladesh (6), and in Beira, Mozambique (7). In 2006, Nair et al. reported that the current seventh pandemic prototype El Tor strains had been replaced by hybrid El Tor strains in Bangladesh (8). We now report how far the hybrid El Tor strains have spread in Asia and Africa. Description: This article can also be accessed through pubmed on doi: 10.3201/eid1406.080129 2008-06-01T00:00:00Z http://dspace.lamu.edu.zm:8080/handle/123456789/2918 Title: Investigation of Malaria Parasitemia among Asymptomatic Individuals in Designated Districts of Central and Muchinga Provinces of Zambia – A Cross Sectional Study Authors: Loti, Patrick; Nyirenda, Stanley. S.; Chisulo, Frank, K.; Chama, Agness; Singogo, Majory; Chileshe, Daniel, B.; Mwansa, James Abstract: Abstract. The aim of the study was to investigate asymptomatic malaria in health-conscious population across four selected districts. Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium spp. transmitted through bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Asymptomatic malaria refers to the presence of malaria parasites in vivo without symptoms, which usually provides a reservoir for the disease transmission. Materials and methods. Blood collected in EDTA underwent testing through RDT (SD Bioline one-step malaria antigen P.f. (HRP-II) rapid test kits), while thin and thick blood smears Giemsa stained were microscopically examined. Results and discussion. Out of 385 individuals examined, 84 people (21.8 %) tested positive for malaria using RDT and 101/385 (26.2 %) – through microscopy. Microscopic examination further identified 27 individuals (7.0 %) with gametocytes and 74 (19.2 %) – with trophozoites. Intriguingly, 17 (4.4 %) samples showed negative results in RDT but exhibited trophozoites and gametocytes upon smear examination. District-wise analysis demonstrated the highest malaria positivity rate in Kanchibiya district, with 32 cases (8.3 %) detected by RDT and 35 (8.5 %) – through microscopy. Chitambo district followed closely: with RDT and microscopy values of 25 (6.5 %) and 33 (8.4 %), respectively; while Mpika and Serenje districts had 13 (3.4 %) and 14 (3.6 %) prevalence, respectively, with RDT and microscopy at 12 (3.1 %) in both districts [x2 =16.3, p-value=0.0118]. The study also revealed that 365/385 (95 %) of the participants demonstrated knowledge and positive attitudes toward malaria. Our findings accentuate the presence of asymptomatic malaria, encompassing trophozoites and gametocytes, among seemingly healthy individuals which poses a health risk to the community. Therefore, it is imperative to implement preventive chemotherapy and strengthen vector control efforts against malaria in order to reduce the infection rate. Description: This article is investigating malaria parasitemia and can also be accessed online using DOI: 10.21055/0370-1069-2024-2-188-192 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z http://dspace.lamu.edu.zm:8080/handle/123456789/2917 Title: AI Literacy and Zambian Librarians Authors: Alam, Abid Fakhre; Subaveerapandiyan, A; Mvula, Dalitso; Tiwary, Neelam Abstract: This study delves into artificial intelligence (AI) literacy within Zambian academic libraries, focusing on librarians’ perceptions and applications of AI. The research aims to gauge the AI literacy level among Library and Information Science Professionals in Zambia, identify their awareness and knowledge of AI applications in libraries, and explore their perceptions regarding the advantages and challenges of implementing AI technologies in library services. Data from 82 diverse participants were gathered using purposive and convenience sampling methods. The findings indicate a solid understanding of AI fundamentals among Zambian librarians and positive attitudes towards AI’s potential benefits in library services. However, challenges such as the need for enhanced AI expertise, resistance to change, and budgetary constraints are acknowledged. 2024-01-08T00:00:00Z http://dspace.lamu.edu.zm:8080/handle/123456789/2916 Title: Vibrio cholerae O1 Hybrid El Tor Strains, Asia and Africa Authors: Safa, Ashrafus; Sultana, Jinath; Cam, Dac Phung; Mwansa, L James; Kong, Richard Y.C Abstract: Vibrio cholerae is a water-borne pathogen that causes a severe watery diarrhea disease known as cholera. On the basis of variable somatic O antigen composition, >200 serogroups of V. cholerae have been recognized. Classical and El Tor are 2 well-established biotypes within the V. cholerae O1 serogroup, and they can be distinguished by differences in their biochemical reactions or phenotypic traits (1) Description: This is an article on Vibrio cholerae O1 Hybrid El Tor Strains, Asia and Africa and can be found online using the site doi: 10.3201/eid1406.080129 2008-05-14T00:00:00Z